# By the Seashore

**Pierre-Auguste Renoir** (French, 1841–1919)  
1883  
Oil on canvas  
36 1/4 x 28 1/2 in. (92.1 x 72.4 cm)

Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 29.100.125. [The museum's record](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437430).

## About this work

A young woman sits in a wicker chair by the sea, the water and cliffs behind her painted in loose, feathery strokes while her face and clothes are more carefully defined. Renoir made the picture in 1883, when he was questioning Impressionism and seeking firmer drawing, and the contrast between the polished figure and the airy background shows that transition. The model is generally thought to be Aline Charigot, who later became his wife.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted this in 1883, aged 42. It is now at The Met in New York.

### How it was made

- **Oil paint.** Pigment ground in a drying oil, usually linseed. It dries slowly, so painters could blend on the canvas, build up thin translucent glazes, and rework a picture over weeks. Canvas replaced wooden panels in the 1500s because it is lighter and can be rolled.

### [Pierre-Auguste Renoir](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/pierre-auguste-renoir)

French, 1841–1919; born in Limoges; died in Cagnes-sur-Mer

Renoir began as a painter of porcelain in Paris, then studied in Gleyre’s studio, where he met Monet, Sisley and Bazille. In the 1870s he was a central figure of Impressionism, painting Parisians at leisure in dappled light. A journey to Italy in 1881–82 led him towards firmer drawing and more classical compositions. Despite severe rheumatoid arthritis in later life he continued to paint, settling at Cagnes-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean, where he died.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

## Facts

- Type: Paintings
- The artist was 42
- Real size: about 36 × 29 in (92 × 72 cm). The 24 × 36 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 19th century
- Movement: [Impressionism](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/impressionism)
- Subjects: Portraits, Women
- Colour: olive
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1145.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1145/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/by-the-seashore-met-437430).